Financial aid
All admitted students are eligible to apply for AMBS need-based financial aid.
Need-based financial aid is distributed according to demonstrated financial need, with higher amounts of aid given to students with greater need. It is granted on a year-to-year basis, with reapplication and review each year.
AMBS financial aid, including matching grants, will not exceed the cost of a student’s tuition for the semester.
Apply for financial aid
U.S. and Canadian students planning to begin studies at AMBS can apply for financial aid. (International students should fill out the scholarship application first.) Note: Need-based financial aid is still available for incoming students.
U.S. students should complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online by April 1.
Federal School Code: 001823
School name: 911
School address: 3003 Benham Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46517
Financial Aid Checklist
Please download and refer to the Financial Aid Checklist to make your financial aid application process as smooth as possible. All documents are in PDF format unless otherwise noted.
Determine your enrollment status
Full-time students
- All full-time admitted students (those taking nine or more credit hours per semester) are eligible for AMBS need-based financial aid of up to 50 percent of tuition.
- Church matching grants: Full-time admitted students may also receive dollar-for-dollar matching grants of up to $2,000 per academic year from their congregation or regional church/conference ($1,000 per term; maximum of two terms).
- Please see also our Scholarships page for more information.
Part-time students
- Admitted students taking fewer than nine credit hours per semester receive half the amount of need-based financial aid they would receive if they were full-time students.
- Church matching grants: Part-time students may be eligible to receive a 25-percent matching grant of up to $500 per academic year from their congregation or regional church/conference ($250 per term; maximum of two terms).
Intensive Term courses
- Students will receive the same percentage of aid for Intensive Term courses that they received during the previous semester.
“At pace” students
MDiv Connect students
- MDiv Connect students taking at least 12 credit hours within one academic year will be deemed “at pace” and considered to be full time for AMBS need-based financial aid purposes. (During their first year of study—when the two-credit-hour orientation course is required—11 credit hours will meet this requirement.) Students will be required to enroll for the whole academic year at the beginning of Semester One (following consultation with their academic advisor). Intended-pace financial aid for MDiv Connect students can be applied for a maximum of six academic years.
MA: Theology and Global Anabaptism students
- MA: Theology and Global Anabaptism students taking the intended course load of 12 credit hours per academic year will be deemed “at pace” and considered to be full time for AMBS need-based financial aid purposes. (During their first year of study—when the two-credit-hour orientation course is required—11 credit hours will meet this requirement.) Students will be required to enroll for all coursework for the academic year at the beginning of the first term in which they are enrolling. Intended-pace financial aid for MATGA students can be applied for a maximum of four academic years.
If at any point during an academic year, an MDiv Connect or MATGA student lowers their registration below 12 credit hours for the year, their financial aid award amount will be adjusted to the lesser part-time rate for all classes beginning that semester and continuing through the rest of that academic year as well as the following academic year. If, during that second academic year, the student resumes being “at pace,” the part-time rate will still apply, but they will be eligible to receive the full-time financial aid rate for the following academic year (provided they stay “at pace”).
Student responsibilities
Students should expect to use a portion of their savings to pay the costs of their study. However, home equity and retirement savings will not decrease a student’s eligibility for need-based financial aid.
- Apply for need-based financial aid each year for the following academic year by using the . (Note: Prospective students have until April 15 to apply for financial aid. If they are admitted after April 15, their Financial Aid Application is due 30 days after their admission date. Returning students must turn in their financial aid applications by April 15 each year for the following academic year.)
- Maintain a satisfactory academic standard (minimum grade-point average [GPA] of 2.50) to continue to receive need-based financial aid.
- Write notes or letters of appreciation to the donors of the funds if requested to do so. AMBS financial aid comes from a variety of sources, including gifts from churches and individual donors. Acknowledging their generosity helps ensure good relations with our supporters and builds goodwill toward the seminary.
Effects of financial aid on U.S. Income Tax
The U.S. Internal Revenue Code states that individuals who are candidates for a degree may exclude scholarship income from their gross income. This is true as long as the amount excluded does not exceed the cost of tuition, fees, books and supplies required for the student’s course of study. Any payment for which services are required is taxable. This could include student assistantships and on-campus jobs. (Ref: TITLE 26, Subtitle A, CHAPTER 1, Subchapter B, PART III, Sec. 117). Students should consult their tax advisor for details.
Student loans
U.S. Federal Student Loans
AMBS encourages students to explore all other sources of funding before applying for a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Sources include AMBS need-based financial aid, scholarships, earnings, savings, and gifts and loans from church and family. If need remains, a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan may help to close the gap. However, we encourage students to borrow as little as possible so as to reduce debt load following graduation.
Students who do not have an undergraduate degree should consult with the Financial Aid Office about eligibility for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans for AMBS students are certified through the AMBS Financial Aid Office.
Canada Student Loans
Canada Student Loans, funded by the government of Canada and administered with participating provinces, are available to Canadian citizens enrolled in full-time study. Repayment is deferred while students maintain full-time status. Canadian students may contact their local banks for information. AMBS is registered with the provincial administrative offices for enrollment of students with Canada Student Loans.
Looking for more information?
Questions? Contact the Financial Aid Office!



